Bernard Sloan moved home and diversified his family farm into a craft brewery

We spoke to Bernard about moving home and setting up a brewery

Bernard Sloan moved to England to work as an Engineer.  While living in England he was exposed to different styles of craft beer that weren’t available in Northern Ireland at the time.

His love of beer became his passion and he changed careers to work in the brewing industry, he decided he wanted to bring his passion for craft beer home to Northern Ireland.

Bernard moved home to Attical, near Kilkeel and diversified his 5th generation family farm into a craft brewery, the Whitewater Brewing Company.  After 20 years on the family farm site, Bernard built a new brewery in Castlewellan, Co Down.

Today Whitewater’s award-winning craft beer is exported to Russia, Japan and Europe.  Meanwhile, the visitor centre and brewing school in Castlewellan are hosting visitors from as far afield as Sweden and Japan.

Learn more about Bernard the Whitewater Brewing Company story: